And Our FIRST Book Club Book is...

A Song for Julia by Charles Sheehan-Miles

From the bestselling author of Just Remember to Breathe 

Everyone should have something to rebel against. 

Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk band and burn out his rage at the world. Six years later, he's still at odds with his father, a Boston cop, and doesn't ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job. 

The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music and drive his band to success. 

Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life. Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a guy. 

When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002, the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart. 

Purchase now for 99 cents!!

ebook

An Interview with Once Upon A Storybook owner, Susie Alexander

~An Interview with Once Upon A Storybook owner, Susie Alexander~

There is no greater joy than of a bookworm in their natural habitat. Whether you're buying a classic novel, splurging on a series you haven't even started yet, or anxiously awaiting the release of the next book in your favorite series, you're where your heart always longs to be...

...in a bookstore.

And if you're lucky enough, you will find a local bookstore that has everything you need: a family owned name, rows and rows of endless books, book signings, that new (and old/used) book smell, generations of families gathering together to introduce the love of reading to their little ones, and everything else in the world that makes you blissful upon entering its doors.

There is nothing that makes a bookworm as happy as being in a bookstore--even if you prefer ereaders. A bookstore's magic is irresistible to anyone willing to pick up a good story and enjoy it thoroughly.

As The Literary Connoisseur, I am always more than thrilled to bring awareness to all aspects of the literary world, especially one as important as the world of independent bookstores. They truly are the heart of the literary world. Without them, we wouldn't have once-in-a-lifetime incredible book signings, authors wouldn't make nearly as many sales as they deserve, and bookworms would have no place to go to escape normalcy and read for hours on end.

Independent bookstores are the heart and soul of the literary community.

In fact, I had the honor of (virtually) sitting down with Susie Alexander, owner of Once Upon a Storybook, an independent bookstore in Tustin, California. We talked about her life as a bookshop owner, the world of independent bookstores, the trials of owning a bookstore, and more. She is the first ever bookstore owner to be interviewed by me, and I have to say, I enjoyed our wonderful chat quite a bit! 

So please enjoy this look into the wonderful world of Indie bookstores, and please welcome Ms Susie Alexander!

The Literary Connoisseur: Hello Susie, and welcome to The Literary Connoisseur! Thank you so much for stopping by and for answering some questions about your independent bookstore, Once Upon a Storybook, and your life as a bookstore owner! If you're ready, let's begin. Tell us a bit about your bookstore, Once Upon a Storybook. 

Susie Alexander: Hi Rebecca!  Once Upon a Storybook is a unique children’s bookstore that features the best in classic and contemporary literature.  We also host multiple weekly storytimes and great events for kids and families.  Besides expert advice on children’s literature, we offer darling little reading cubbies to read and play in, a train table, and complimentary gift wrap

The Literary Connoisseur: I know many bookworms would love to own their own bookstore some day. Have you always wanted to run a bookstore? Has it been a dream of yours as a literature lover?  

Susie Alexander: I have always been a booklover, especially children’s books.  I have a degree in English, and my favorite course was Children’s Literature.  When I homeschooled my kids, I always organized our lessons around literature, and I taught literature classes for other homeschooled kids (my favorite was Cinderella Stories—Cinderella stories around the world and through time).  When my most recent job in the cognitive training field was eliminated, I took some time to decide what I really wanted to do with the second half of my life.  It was my best friend who jokingly suggested “we should open a children’s bookstore together.”  At that moment, the clouds opened up and the angels sang—Yes!  Of course!  A children’s bookstore!  When I mentioned it to my husband, he said, “How do you know you want to be in retail?  We’ve never done retail.  You need to go work at Barnes & Noble to see if you like it or are any good at it.”  It was brilliant advice!  I worked at B&N for about a year and half.  During that time, I learned that the book industry really does use the vocabulary that was mentioned in the books I was reading.  I learned about retail, cash registers, managing people, customer service.  It was really a great experience in preparing me for my own store.  Over all, it was a 3-yr process, preparing to open the store.

The Literary Connoisseur: How important are independent bookstores to our society?  

Susie Alexander: Having worked at a megabookstore, I can tell you that there is something unique about the independent bookstore movement.  There are many places you can buy books, from B&N to Costco to Amazon, but I have seen that although reading is usually a solitary activity, books are a social one.  When people walk into my store, they want to talk about books; they want to express the memories they have with specific books they grew up with; they want to ask questions about subject matter, authors, new titles.  Bookstores are a gathering place—often moms will run into other moms they know at my store—or they will use my store as a place to meet up with friends.  One of the things I have said about Once Upon a Storybook is that I want it to be a place where kids grow up.  I want the events, activities, and the books themselves to be a part of their childhoods.  Before I opened the store, I had read a lot about how independent bookstores were a social hub in many communities, and now I see that it is true. 

The Literary Connoisseur: Do you have an opinion on whether ebooks are harming or helping bookstores (with actual paper books) around the world? 

Susie Alexander: Digital devices and ebooks are here to stay.  I think we are wasting our energy if we try to combat them.  What independent bookstores need to do is show their value to the community.  What do we at bookstores do with our paper books that is different than can be done with an ebook?  In the children’s book world, it is much easier to show the difference—most people don’t care to read a book aloud to a child on a device.  It’s just not the same as turning the pages and having that real experience.  We also connect books and activities as much as we can. 

The Literary Connoisseur: What variety of books do you carry? 

Susie Alexander: We carry books for birth to age 14, so we’ve got a healthy section of board books, picture books, leveled readers, early chapter books, chapter books, and activity books.  Plus, it is really important to me to carry a variety of interesting nonfiction, so we have a lot of biography, history, science, and spiritual books.  The adult books we carry center on parenting, childbirth, and education.

The Literary Connoisseur: Do you carry other products in your store besides books? 

Susie Alexander: Everything in our store is either a book or directly related to a book.  We have a number of plush characters that pair up with books, like Olivia, Llama Llama, and Pete the Cat; and we have some Wimpy Kid writing supplies.  We have a great selection of literary t-shirts that I adore!  Everything from Very Hungry Caterpillar to Pride & Prejudice.

The Literary Connoisseur: What sort of programs and events does your store provide for its community? (Story times, educational events, etc.) 

Susie Alexander: We have two weekly (identical) preschool storytimes, plus a Milk & Cookies Storytime (we all wear our jammies—even me!) weekly in the evenings.  We have a monthly chapter readers book club and monthly writer’s workshop.  Our favorite event of the month is Paws & Pals.  The third Friday of each month the Orange County SPCA brings their therapy dogs, and each kid get 15-minutes to read aloud to a dog.  It is the sweetest thing you have ever seen!  Sometimes the moms tear up.  I had one mom say she had never seen her son read with confidence until he read to the dogs.  A number of other moms say it’s the best reading their kids do all week.  It’s a free program, and I am so honored that the SPCA has volunteered to bring this to us every month.

The Literary Connoisseur: Is there an author you would most like to see make an appearance at Once Upon a Storybook? An author you'd love to meet, perhaps? 

Susie Alexander: I recently spoke to John Archambault (of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom  fame) on the phone—I couldn’t stop giggling.  I finally said, “You’re the most famous person I’ve ever talked to!”  I also went a little crazy when Lori Evert (from The Christmas Wish) liked our Facebook page.  But I think the day that Jon Klassen or Mac Barnett comes to my store, you’ll have to mop me up off the floor!  I do get excited about all of our author visits—it’s such an honor that they take the time to come here and read to our kids.  Picture books are really my favorite, so those author/illustrators are my literary heroes.

The Literary Connoisseur: Do you have any exciting events coming up that you would like to share with the world? (And future shoppers of Once Upon a Storybook?)  

Susie Alexander: Ooh, thank you!  We are hosting an author signing by a self-published author with one of the best picture books I have ever seen (and, like I said, that is my specialty, so I don’t say that lightly)—Kip Noschese.  He is a former Disney animator who has written and illustrated a fabulous story, Otto and the Grand Prix Bees.  Also, like I mentioned, John Archambault is coming in March to read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!  Apparently, he does a whole little show—he plays the guitar and sings.  I can’t wait!  Also, my favorite upcoming non-author event is our Caldecott Soiree that we are having the Saturday after the Caldecott is announced.  We will have a red carpet and will award ribbons to the Caldecott Honors and a trophy to the Caldecott Award winner, and, of course, we will read them all. 

The Literary Connoisseur: What has been your favorite thing about owning a bookstore so far? 

Susie Alexander: That’s easy (although there are MANY wonderful things!).  There is nothing like putting the perfect book in the hands of a grandma, mom, or kid!  When you recommend a book, and they buy it, and you know they are going to love it, it is the greatest feeling in the world!  I don’t think I will ever get over it!

11. The Literary Connoisseur: Where would you like to see yourself, Once Upon a Storybook, and the independent bookstores around the world in ten years?

Susie Alexander: That’s a big question.  Certainly, I realistically think independent bookstores will continue to grow around the country, as the larger bookstores level off.  Thanks to American Express and the Shop Small movement, awareness is growing for the importance of shopping local.  For us, personally, I would like to be known as a fixture in our community, a resource for parents and educators, and that we would grow in our expertise about literature so that we can be a resource for other independent bookstores in the country.  But, first, I’d like to just make our budget ;-)

The Literary Connoisseur: What is one thing you would like to share with the world, that not everyone would know about being a bookstore owner? 

Susie Alexander: My husband tried to warn me, and he was absolutely right—Being a bookstore owner means that you spend much less time doing the parts you love (being with the customers, running the activities) and much more doing the hard stuff—writing budgets, communicating with vendors, researching new ways to market.  I am surprised how much time I spend each day in my office!  But when you have awesome people work with you, it helps.

The Literary Connoisseur: Again, thank you so much for stopping by and answering some questions about your store, Susie! I'm sure we're all excited to come in for a shopping spree! 

To learn more about Once Upon a Storybook, be sure to check out their website here!

Like their Facebook page here!

And call them for store hours, events, and more at (714) 669-4377

The Thopmson Sisters and Rachel's Peril Series by Charles Sheehan-Miles

"Everything I've ever believed is upside down."

  When I first launched The Literary Connoisseur, fresh out of the box, I was already a fan of Charles Sheehan-Miles' work. I had already fallen in love with Just Remember to Breathe, his Thompson Sisters novel about Alex and Dylan, and I was hooked for good.
  I quickly dove into A Song for Julia and The Last Hour (which I still haven't forgiven Charles for), and loved them just as much, or even more so than Just Remember to Breathe. In fact, The Last Hour made its way up my favorite books ever read list, even though it tore me apart emotionally, physically, and mentally. But aren't the best books like that? It takes a pretty amazing author to get such a reaction from their readers, doesn't it? It takes real writing talent. Charles has it. Charles has IT. 
  When I heard that he was expanding the world of the Thompson Sisters, and adding Girl of Lies to his life-changing books quota, I was thrilled.
  I was excited, I was nervous, I was anxious, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.
  Of course Girl of Lies was incredible. Would I expect any less from one of my all-time favorite authors ever to publish a book?
  No? That's what I thought.
  Now, I don't normally do this with books, but once Girl of Rage came out (the second Rachel's Peril book, the Thompson Sisters/Rachel's Peril book you must read 5th), I didn't read it right away. As much as I wanted to put down the book I was currently reading to devour it, I was diligent.
  I was going to wait until Girl of Vengeance came out, so I could seriously ignore everyone around me and binge-read the Charles Sheehan-Miles books I had not yet torn apart and put blood, sweat, and tears into reading.
  I waited, and boy was it well worth it.
  You are lucky, because you don't have to wait! It was torture. Honestly, torture.
  But it was well worth it, I tell you.
  I cannot even begin to tell you how I felt when I realized I was done with the Rachel's Peril series. It felt like someone had taken a chunk out of my heart, and the only way to get it back was to reread Charles' books. His books will stick with you forever and ever.
  I once said in a review for Lindy Zart's Unlit Star that her book wasn't a favorite review request or Indie book of mine, it was a favorite book of mine altogether in the world of literature.
  Charles' books are the exact same way. His Thompson Sisters series and his Rachel's Peril series raised the bar, and bumped their way up to one of my favorite series ever. They're up there with books I've fallen in love with over the years. Charles' books are ready to be read by billions of readers across the world and land themselves on the New York Times Bestselling list.
  They're that exceptional.
  I feel as if it is my duty to personally recommend this series to anyone and everyone looking for a read to captivate them until the very last page. And then some, because I'm still hooked on the series even though I've "technically" finished them.
  Seriously. I know I rave about a lot of books (because, well, it's in my nature), but you SERIOUSLY need to read these six books. (And the novella, Falling Stars. But I'll get to that later.)
  Charles' books are amazing, and he is one of the sweetest people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. He's an angel, and his genuine nature is reflected in his work.
  I am in love with Charles Sheehan-Miles' work. I will read anything and everything he writes, period. His writing is pure poetry and beauty in the most stunning of ways. His story is original, and his backstory is irresistible; I've never read anything like it before in my life. His characters are so real, you feel pain when they feel pain, you cry when they cry, and they're so realistic, they are moments away from coming through the page.
  I don't know why these books aren't more popular, but believe me, I will continue to be stubborn and headstrong until the world knows Charles' name and the stories he writes.
  These books are amazing. I wish I could read them again for the first time. If you can do that now, consider yourself a lucky duck and do it. You won't regret it.
  (Warning: Time spent binge-reading this series will take away from social life, cooking, cleaning, and every day normal schedules.)

Read the Series in Order:

A Song for Julia (Thompson Sisters Book 1) 

  Falling Stars: A Thompson Sisters Novella

Just Remember to Breathe (Thompson Sisters Book 2) 

  The Last Hour (Thompson Sisters Book 3) 

  Girl of Lies (Rachel's Peril Book 1)

Girl of Rage (Rachel's Peril Book 2) 

  Girl of Vengeance (Rachel's Peril Book 3)

Or buy the boxed sets...

Thompson Sisters Boxed Set Volume 1 (A Song for Julia, Just Remember to Breathe, The Last Hour)

Thompson Sisters Boxed Set Volume 2: Rachel's Peril (Girl of Lies, Girl of Rage, Girl of Vengeance)

About Charles

Charles Sheehan-Miles has been a soldier, computer programmer, short-order cook and non-profit executive, and is the author of more than a dozen fiction and non-fiction books, including the indie bestsellers Just Remember to Breathe and Republic: A Novel of America’s Future. He is a member of The Authors Guild and the Association of Independent Authors.

Charles and his partner Andrea Randall live and write together in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

And the Book I'm Recommending to Everyone is...

Just Remember to Breathe by Charles Sheehan-Miles

When I first started blogging, Charles' books were suggested to me with extremely high praise. I had Amazon ship my paper copy of Just Remember to Breathe to me in two days, and sunk my teeth into its story.

Oh my gosh.

This book has everything. Romance, emotional highs and lows, war, intrigue, politics, and everything else that makes this book irresistible for literally everyone.

I thought this book was amazing, but as I read on, Charles' books hooked me even more. (I type this after just finishing his latest book, Girl of Vengeance, and I'm still hungover from my reading-binge. I find there is no tonic.)

When starting Charles Sheehan-Miles' Thompson Sisters series, you will fall head-over-heels in love with his writing, you will cry when his characters cry, you'll clench your fists in anger when something keeps your favorite characters apart, and you will feel an empty spot in your heart when it's all over.


I know I did.




Book                               ebook

          

No Grits No Glory by Elaine Calloway

  Brianna and Steven have both lost loved ones. Brianna, her brother, and Steven...his entire family.
  Brianna decides to leave her home of Boston, Massachusetts and makes a life-changing move to the south in Savannah, Georgia, her late brother's favorite place to be.
  But Brianna gets more than what she bargains for when she moves into her new house. She now has some very odd roommates bunking with her (and judging her cooking)... Ghosts. Steven's family, to be exact. Not exactly the best situation to be in when you can communicate with the dead!
  The oldest city in Georgia, and one of the most haunted cities on earth will bring Brianna and Steven together as they join forces to solve a murder, make amends with problems that once tore a family apart, and perhaps cook up a decent serving of cheese grits.
   No Grits No Glory was positively adorable! It was humorous, Brianna was extremely normal (the kind of character every reader- man and woman- can relate to), it had a dash of romance, but not enough to make you sick, and it had just enough emotion in it to make my eyes leak without my permission.
  This book reminds me a lot of a spin-off from some of my favorite books, the Stephanie Plum series. This is the kind of book you want to read on vacation, with a frou-frou drink by your side, as you watch waves ebb and flow.
  This is an ultimate feel-good book, with some added depth and heavy emotion.
  I also found Elaine Calloway's writing very enjoyable and easy to sink into, a trait I find very admirable. I absolutely will read more of her work, and when the time comes (please let it be soon), more Southern Ghost Series books.
  (Side note: I have a bone to pick with Ms Calloway...ever since I started No Grits No Glory, I have had a SERIOUS craving for grits! I blame you for my addiction. *wink*)

Book                                ebook

          

Gemini by Wes McCloud

  Gemini is the second book I have read by Mr McCloud, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say it's my favorite of his and will continue to be no matter how many of his books I read. (Although, I won't put it past him to write even more amazing plots.)
  Gemini was...amazing. Gemini is the very epitome of an unpolished gemstone. Like a diamond, all it needs is some investment, some tender loving care, some polish and cutting, and you have yourself a New York Times Bestseller.
  Gemini's plot is absolutely flawless. I found myself falling into loopholes, getting blindsided by plot twists and turns, and getting slapped in the face with sudden realizations so much that I felt as if I were actually in Wes' book.
  While moving across the country this past month, I didn't have very much time for reading, but thankfully I had Wes McCloud's Gemini to keep me company and to leave me breathless. This book is wonderful.
  When Samantha Paige comes across a mysterious book and a mysterious man on the very edge of her 20th birthday, her life takes a turn for the worst, quicker than anyone can say "Happy Birthday." The book mystifies Sam and captivates her very being, but she knows deep down that there's something very wrong with it...and the mysterious man that's hunting her and the book.
  Sam brushes away her instincts and follows her recklessness in opening said book and unleashes a world of terror.
  Demons, mountain movers, and the like start to terrorize her town and demolish the only world she's ever known...but only she, and she alone, can put it back to the way it was supposed to be.
  Of course that's a fabulous plot! Amazing enough to draw readers in, but what they don't expect is a story and backstory beyond their imagination. I don't know what I was expecting when I picked up Gemini, perhaps a book I only would come to like, but when I read it, it exceeded my expectations and left me at a loss for words.
  Apologies to Mr McCloud who had to deal with my "Oh my God"s as soon as I finished his book, but what does he expect? It was amazing, and he should know what kind of remarkable stories he's writing.
  As I said, Gemini will need a bit of cutting and polishing (gemstone mining speak). But Gemini is a book I could easily see sitting beside some of my favorites at the chain bookstore on the New York Times Bestselling shelf.
  Wes McCloud knows that I will most certainly read more of his work (and soon, I'll add), but I'm saying this now...it's going to be difficult to beat Newt and Neembo.

Book                                ebook

          

My Top Five (Six) Favorite Reads of 2014!

2014 has been an AMAZING year for mind-blowing reads! Some have been side-splitting hilarious, some have been sweet and romantic beyond belief, and others have left me breathless with their beauty. I didn't intentionally choose these top six books as my favorites. They chose me. 

These books have left such a large impact on me, my affection for them won't dissipate as soon as 2014 is over--my love for them will last a lifetime. These are books that will stick with me forever. 

And now, without further ado, My Top Five (Six...again) Favorite Reads of 2014!

My number SIX favorite read of 2014 is...

The Debt and the Doormat by Laura Barnard

I could not read The Debt and the Doormat with a straight face. Every time I would pick up the book to read, I had to immediately put it back down again because I was laughing so hard at the main character's antics. It was so knee-slapping funny, I had to include it in my top reads of 2014. 

My review:

 Poppy and Jazz have been best friends ever since they became adults. Through thick and thin, they've stuck by each other no matter what. Boy, are things about to get thick.

  Poppy was recently dumped by her long-time boyfriend, and she's kind of a doormat. Jazz spends money without thinking about it, and she is in a bit of debt...
  Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce our Debt and Doormat.
  Things are completely falling apart for our dynamic duo, and there is really only one obvious solution... They have to trade lives, apartments, and guidelines with each other. Now Poppy decides what Jazz does with her life, and Jazz gets to pick and choose what Poppy does as well.
  Nothing can go wrong, right?
  This book had me laughing so hard at times, I cried!
  Poppy is such a mess, I was shaking and slapping my head when I wasn't crying from laughing hysterically.
  The Debt and the Doormat is a decently large book, almost five hundred pages, but it was so entertaining and Poppy's misadventures were such an enjoyable train-wreck, I enjoyed every minute- AND I wanted more as soon as it was over.
  I can only compare Laura Barnard's stories to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. That's how funny they were. Laura Barnard's The Debt and the Doormat and The Baby and the Bride are now my go-to "happy books." These are books that I will read when I need something light, fluffy, and completely entertaining.

  I cannot wait to get back to Jazz and Poppy's story, and see where these two wacky girls go next!

ebook

My number FIVE favorite read of 2014 is...

For Atancia by Wren Figueiro

Last year I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Wren 

Figueiro when she asked me to review her book, Atancia. 

Our partnership and friendship has been close ever 

since. Not only is she amazing, but her personality really shows in her books. I'm adding Atancia in addition to For Atancia to my list, because you truly cannot have one without the other, and Wren Figueiro's sequel reminded me how much I loved her writing in the first place.

My reviews:

Atancia

This is the story of a young lady, Atancia, and her newly discovered ability to transfer a life force-type energy from person to person. This ability comes from being a Durand. Atancia has just learned about her ability from Ben, a beautiful specimen of a man, and she could not be more overwhelmed. But Atancia soon begins to embrace her powers and rediscover who she is...and may finally find out where her mother disappeared to so long ago.
  Just finishing the novel, I can tell you that Atancia could easily become a New York Times Bestselling book. I could see it quickly becoming a book as popular and talked about as City of Bones, The Hunger Games or Twilight.
  Wren Figueiro's writing is easy to read. It sucks you in. The characters have no irritating little tendencies like running a hand through their hair or using annoying phrases...her characters are just...normal. Atancia is your every day girl (Durand powers aside). She's awkward, she's not overly popular, she's not in the "scene" group, she's just Atancia. And that's why I love her so much.
  As the story progresses, her Durand powers strengthen and so does her relationship with Ben.
  Even though I've just finished the book, I'm already begging for more. Rumor has it that a sequel will be out soon, but I don't think I can wait that long. When I say I could see Atancia making it to the top Bestsellers list, I say it because I believe it has all of the right elements. It has all the right ingredients to make a brilliant and irresistible book: 1) A strong main character, but not strong enough to be irritating. 2) A relationship that doesn't make you want to roll your eyes. (Which is borderline impossible for most books with romance in them.) And 3) A plot that is relatable and can appeal to all audiences.
  But Atancia is different. It's a diamond in the rough, it's a treasure to behold, and I'm more than ecstatic to see where Wren Figueiro's story takes me next.

Book                                ebook

          

For Atancia

  There are many different opinions when it comes to watching a sequel to a movie, or reading a sequel to a book. Many times, opinions with be split in half. Half will say that sequels don't even come close to being as good as the first (book or movie) in the series, and half will say they're better.
  When it comes to Wren Figueiro's For Atancia, I am proud to say that I am a part of the latter half.
  When I first read Wren Figueiro's Atancia, I was sucked in instantly. It was nicely written, Atancia (her main character as the title implies) was entirely normal and not even close to being irritating, and the story was fast-paced enough to keep its reader (me) intrigued the whole way through.
  I started For Atancia expecting it to have the same effect on me as the first book, and was pleasantly surprised.
  For Atancia is told in Matt's perspective, unlike Atancia, which is told in her perspective. We come to unexpectedly fall in love with Matt at the end of Atancia, when we are surprised by a shocking turn of events that leave us breathless. But I won't go into that, I'll leave that part up to your imagination. Unless you plan on reading Atancia, which I strongly suggest! You'll find many incredible tidbits in Atancia, but even more so in For Atancia.
  I loved the sequel even more than I loved the first book.
  When I started it, I was reminded of all of the wonderful feelings Atancia (the book) first gave me. The sweat that beaded on my brow when I started to panic for my favorite characters' safety only intensified when I got deeper into the story. And in addition to that, Wren Figueiro has supplied a whole new cast of characters for her readers to fall in love with.
  I hope and pray that I will be the lucky recipient of more Wren Figueiro books in the future.

Book                                 ebook

          

My number FOUR favorite read of 2014 is...

The Czarina of Florida by Tami Lynne

This book positively BLEW. MY. MIND. When I first read it, I had already read Tami's book, A Dreaming Moon 
 and loved it. I knew that when I would pick up her Czarina of Florida, I was bound to love it as well. I was right. This book will make your jaw drop to the floor. You will not be able to put it down.

My review:

 Ida Alice Shourds is a simple woman. She has lived a simple life, she lives in a simple town, and she wears simple (beyond simple) clothing. She is positively plain, though she does have a red-hot temper which flares up occasionally.
  Her simple life takes a turn when she decides to apply for a job caring for Mrs. Flagler, wealthy Henry Flagler's wife. Mrs. Flagler's health is failing, and she needs a nurse to dress her, take her for short walks, prepare her for dinners, and even care for Mr. Flagler when it is needed.
  Not far into the book, Mrs. Flagler's illness starts wreaking havoc with her body, and Ida starts to realize that soon it may just be her...and the enigmatic Henry Flagler.
  Talk about book hangovers! Not only did The Czarina of Florida have me rubbing my bleary eyes from an unsuccessful night's sleep, it had me waking up the next morning thinking, "What in the heck just happened in that book?!"
  And to this day, about two weeks after I finished the book, I am STILL thinking about how mind-boggling the story is. Living somewhat near where the story takes place doesn't help, either. I can't help but cringe every time I see a railroad track.
  My dear readers, this book is GOOD.
  Tami Lynne's exceptional writing has reached new heights in The Czarina of Florida. In this book, she shows off her true talent of story-telling. Her impeccable way of describing scenery, her character progression, and her plot growth are just remarkable. I don't understand why this book hasn't been read and enjoyed by more people. It was five stars in my book!
  Every time I read one of Tami Lynne's novels, I think, "Oh, no way. THIS one is my favorite!" (Which is how I'm currently feeling about The Czarina of Florida.)
  Without going into too many details, I do have to say this... There is a certain character (and plot) progression that slowly shows its head at the beginning of the book, which then rapidly slews into a downward spiral of chaos that made me shout, "OH MY GOSH."
  It was that good.
  It should be required that all Floridians read this book, and it should be a strong suggestion for all others. The Czarina of Florida is a gem.

Book                                 ebook

          

My number THREE favorite read of 2014 is...

Mangled Hearts by Felicia Tatum

Now, stories about romance are not typically my favorites. I will take demon-hunting, angst, violence, and scary stories over a book about a romantic relationship any day. But Mangled Hearts is unlike any other romantic book you've read. Francesca and Cade's story is unlike any other story, period. I cried out of happiness (A LOT) during my time with the two of them, and I will again if (when) I read about them again. This book is just perfection.

My review:

Soon-to-be lawyer Francesca has just been assigned her first real case. "This is it," she thinks. "Time to show everyone here what I'm capable of." Francesca is ready to kick lawyer butt. But things don't go exactly as planned when Francesca realizes who her first case involves, and who inevitably will be standing in her way...
  Cade.
  Cade broke Francesca's heart so many years ago, and she has not forgiven him because of it. In fact, after what he did, she thinks she never will. But fate has something unexpected in store for Francesca and Cade...something that may mend all broken ties in their relationship. A renewed romance.
  Cade is falling apart. He's careless, thoughtless, and he's drunk almost 24/7. He couldn't care less about what his family thinks, but as soon as he lays his weary eyes on Francesca again, he realizes he may in fact be able to change.
  I stayed up until 2:30am finishing this dang book. It had me so hooked, I could NOT put it down. Mangled Hearts was absolutely incredible beyond words. I fell in love with Francesca and Cade's story from the very first page.
  There were no superficial and immature emotional mind games, Francesca and Cade weren't young and childish, and the love they had for each other was 100% genuine. I would repeatedly private message Felicia on Facebook and ask, "Oh my gosh, what are you doing to me??" I started Mangled Hearts early Tuesday morning, and couldn't stop until I had reached 100%. Sleep deprivation was SO worth it.
  Mangled Hearts may in fact be one of my all-time favorite Indie books. Wait, did I say, "may?" It is absolutely is one of my favorite Indie books. Of. All. Time.
  Mangled Hearts is amazing. Buy it, buy it, buy it. I cannot wait to read on in Cade and Francesca's story. I miss them already and I've only been without them for three days.
  Absolutely beautifully told, beautifully written, and breath-takingly done.

Book                                 ebook

          

My number TWO favorite read of 2014 is...

Unlit Star by Lindy Zart

This book. Oh my gosh, this book. This book had me so emotional, so hooked, and so torn apart, I can't even put my feelings for it into words. (Besides the book review I wrote for it...but beyond that, NO WORDS.) Unlit Star is not one of the best review requests I read this year, it isn't one of the best review requests I've ever read, it's not one of the best books I've read this year, it's one of the best books I've ever read--period.

My review:

  Every bookworm should experience the euphoric feeling one gets when they read that book. The book that has you in the palm of its hand. The book that has you so emotionally involved/distraught/overwhelmed with its story, there's nothing you can do but sit there in awe, book laying open (if it's an actual paper book, if not, screen sitting there lit up) in your hand, as your brain works together what's currently happening.
  How could this happen? After all the author and you have been through- after experiencing these past 300 or so pages together- how could the author do this to you, their faithful reader?
  How can normal life proceed after this book is finished?
  Next comes the feeling of desperately wanting to talk to someone after you've finishedthat book, and not understanding when someone answers your frantic cries for help with an, "It's just a book."
  Every bookworm knows that it's never "just a book."
  This author has found a way into your heart through their writing and their words. They have found a way to capture your most raw emotions, drawing them out, coaxing them with their charismatic characters and utmost endearing plotlines, and then following it all up by leading your emotions down the dizzying and endless rabbit-hole known as "Falling Madly in Love with a Book."
  Out of the 700 or so books I have read over my years as an avid book lover, I have only come across 25 or so that leave me tear-streaked, sad, happy, and beyond the point of "book infatuation." I have crossed the line into "Past the Point of No Return" territory. This feeling occurs when you cannot move on to another book right away, when you just have to hold the book to your chest longer, for fear of the story disappearing altogether, leaving you with a broken heart and a nest of half-used tissues strewn around your comfy reading chair. You are so involved with this book, you don't know what to do with yourself. You sit there, crying (because even if you're not a typical crier when you read books, that one book that hits you like this will make you cry, even if you don't want to), and you want the rest of your life to be surrounded by this one story.
  Around the internet, you hear of this feeling called a "book hangover." This feeling leaves you breathless, it leaves you an emotional wreck, and you cannot, cannot imagine starting another story at the moment- still being stuck in the previous book's world. But the book I just finished is way beyond "book hangover."
  I have a "book hangover" that will last a lifetime. I have book-shaped impression on my heart.
  This book impression is in the shape of Lindy Zart's Unlit Star.
  When Lindy asked me to review her latest novel, I was of course more than happy to oblige. Every single book that I have read by Lindy Zart has been incredible in different ways, no matter the genre. From Ordinary, to Incomplete, to Take Care, Sara, I was in love with her work.
  What I didn't expect was to read something so extraordinary, that the only category I could file Unlit Star into wouldn't be "Lindy Zart's Books," it wouldn't be, "My Favorite Indie Books," it would be filed under, "My Favorite Books of All-Time/Life-Altering Books."
  I fell in love with Unlit Star as I did with Lindy Zart's other books; immediately. (With intriguing plots such as these, how could you not?) Although, Unlit Star had an extra ummph.
  I fell in love with Unlit Star as soon as our main character, Delilah, was introduced.
  We begin Unlit Star with Delilah working as the Young family house cleaner while their normal cleaner is on vacation for the summer. Delilah is well acquainted with the Young son who is her age, although they never quite meshed in school. Easy peasy; he was popular, she was definitely not.
  But after a tragic boat accident that summer, the son, Rivers, is left semi-crippled, scarred (inside and out), and almost catatonic. Delilah almost has to clean around him as he sits there and watches her.
  These two obviously don't go well together, but when a family illness lures Rivers' mother and step-father out of town, there is only one responsible person to sit and watch him to make sure he doesn't do anything reckless or stupid.
  Delilah.
  Neither of them are too thrilled with this arrangement, but what can you do? Delilah can definitely hold her own, and she won't put up with Rivers' attitude.
  And right there is my #1 reason for falling in love with Unlit Star so quickly. Delilah.
  Of course after a few chapters, my love for Rivers followed shortly as his character progressed. By the end of the book, I was madly in love with both of them.
  This book affected me as one is affected on a roller coaster. First, your anticipation builds as you climb higher and higher on the tracks, your heart beating wildly out of your chest and your fear of having a heart-attack increasing. Next, you reach that peak where everything starts to slow, as if you're trudging through a river of molasses. You know something is wrong- you know if you stop now, there's no way you can roll back into the safety of the tracks you know. You'll head straight for the unknown track in front of you, diving head-first into a wild, hair-whipping course, so you know you're better off continuing this nail-biting journey willingly.
  And then...then you reach the fall. That weightless, heart-in-stomach feeling of the inevitable. That feeling of receiving a text stating, "We need to talk," before you actually know what you're meant to talk about.
  You're now free falling into oblivion, unaware of what awaits you, but you know that it'll be huge.
  This is what I experienced, word for word, when I read Lindy Zart's Unlit Star.
  I implore you, if you are a fan of these feelings, if you savor books that make you go, "Wow..." or even if you're in a book rut, looking for that next book to capture your every emotion, read Unlit Star.
  In all honesty, I've read one or two books recently that I've been requested to review that left me positively breathless. Unlit Star not only took my breath, it also stole my heart, my mind, and one of the spots on my "Favorite Books of 2014 List."
  Unlit Star was not just a story, it was life-changing, a work of poetry, a piece artwork, and a gorgeous, real-life story of two young adults transformed onto paper.
  Lindy Zart was born to write. A book like this that captures your soul so cannot be written by just anyone. Lindy Zart poured everything onto Unlit Star's paper that's required in order to create a masterpiece, and it shows. You know by reading this book that Lindy has put her blood, sweat, and tears into this story.
  Only a few books have affected me in this way. Only a few books in my entire lifetime, and Unlit Star is one of them. I want to continue to fully immerse myself in this story, but how is that possible once it's over?
  I need everyone to read this book. I want to spread the wealth and share the love of this story to keep it alive. I want to completely surround myself with its story again, and breathe in its riches. I miss Delilah and Rivers, desperately.
  I never say this- EVER- but I need to reread this book.

Book                                ebook

          

And now...my number ONE *favorite* read of 2014 is...

is...

IS...

wait for it...

...

Lemongrass Hope by Amy Impellizzeri

This book is slam-your-kindle-and/or-paper-book-on-the-table-and-cry-in-an-outburst-of-emotion book. This book is absolutely one of the BEST books I have ever read. Lemongrass Hope is the kind of book that I will lose myself in and beg to stay in forever. Lemongrass Hope is my number one book because it is the book that made me the most desperate to be in this author's world. I love this book with every fiber of my being, and I would love nothing more than to just be immersed in this story 24/7. I still don't forgive Amy Impellizzeri for making me sob, though. (And that's not a spoiler...I didn't say whether it was from happiness or sadness, did I?)

My review:

  Kate will never forget him. That beautifully intelligent man who stole her heart, her mind, body, and soul. Ian. Ian, who had to leave Kate to do some research in Botswana to find a mysterious fruit that holds magical powers.
  They say that at the right time, in the right place, it can make you time travel.
  Kate never forgot Ian, even after she married her husband Rob and had her two boys. She never forgot him.
  Lemongrass Hope is one of the most exceptional books I have ever read. My love for it grew from, "This is a great book" to "This may be one of the best books I've been asked to review" to "Okay, this is one of the best books I've ever read."
  It is extraordinary. Mind-boggling, captivating, emotional, addicting, and positively heartrending.
  It's one of the best books I've ever, ever, ever read. Amy Impellizzeri is a beautiful writer, and her book is a treasure to behold. Ms Impellizzeri's words will captivate you and leave you breathless as you beg for more. And keep in mind I only read the uncorrected ARC (advance reader copy)... I can only imagine how breathtaking the final draft will be.
  I've written and re-written this book review a few times. Each time I begin a sentence, I have to rewrite it in fear of it not being good enough for this story. This book deserves all five star reviews, and it deserves a spot on the New York Times Bestseller list. I could easily see this book becoming every book club's "Book of the Month," soon followed by a movie deal that I just know in my heart will not do this incredible novel justice. As I write this, a few weeks after I finished Lemongrass Hope, I still have not gotten over my extreme book hangover from Amy Impellizzeri's story. As soon as I finished the book and reread the first few chapters again (which I NEVER do in books), I was yearning to reread the entire thing ten times more. Ten times, fifty times, a hundred times, it doesn't matter. It wouldn't be enough.
  Reading this masterpiece a hundred times wouldn't be enough for me.
  Lemongrass Hope is stunning, extraordinary, and a true piece of artwork. A+

Book                                ebook

          

Well, everyone! I hope you liked my Favorite Reads of 2014 countdown! I read some pretty extraordinary books this year, and I very much look forward to what incredible stories await me in 2015. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year! Keep in mind...if you're an author and you have a favorite book that you've written, ask me to read it! You never know, it may end up on my 2015 list! XOXO and Happy Reading!!!